Shortly after announcing their engagement the couple celebrated their happy news with a romantic holiday in Marbella, Spain.

But after a great start, that year turned out to be a difficult year for the midfielder.

That summer, he became public enemy number one after being sent off in England’s World Cup quarter final clash with Argentina. Rumours abounded that he was set to quit the UK due to the backlash. His loyal girlfriend stuck by his side throughout.

In their early days the couple's star status quickly rose - thanks in part to their penchant for appearing at showbiz parties in matching outfits.

Soon, they were the most talked-about pairing in the country, and given the nickname Posh and Becks by the tabloids that charted their every move.

By March 1999, the country had all but forgotten about David's World Cup woes, and the nation was delighted when he and Victoria announced the birth of their first child – a son.

They called the baby boy Brooklyn – because they were in the New York district when they found out they were expecting.

At a photo op outside their home in July 1999, the couple were brimming with happiness. And with good reason – they were about to fly to Ireland to tie the knot.

The country's most high-profile couple wed at the Emerald isle's imposing Luttrellstown Castle, with David's team mate Gary Neville as best man, and baby Brooklyn acting as ring-bearer.

The bride wore an Ivory Vera Wang creation, and they said their vows in front of a star-studded wedding party including the Spice Girls, Bobby Charlton and David Seaman. As they become man and wife, a single dove was released as a symbol of their love.

Later that year, they purchased a £7.5 million mansion in Hertfordshire, affectionately dubbed Beckingham Palace by the media - and 'Brand Beckham' was born.

The couple started married life by forging on ahead on the work front.

Victoria - with new long locks - launched her solo career. But despite their busy schedules the couple still found the time for fun dates.

David and his wife had a ball at Hyde Park event Party in the Park, checking out some of the other acts after Victoria took to the stage with Dane Bowers to perform their joint single Out of your Mind

In 2002 they became proud parents for the second time, as baby son Romeo was born in London.

Speaking outside the hospital, David gushed: "You're always nervous having children but it's the most beautiful thing in the world, so we're both delighted".

And, explaining the unusual moniker, he added: "It's just a name we love".

In-demand David was snapped up by Spanish giants Real Madrid for a cool £25 million in 2003 – and, naturally, the whole clan upped and moved to the Spanish capital.

"It's been very hard finding a house," said Victoria, who was keen to avoid the typical outlandish footballers’ trappings and find a family home.

"You should have seen some of the houses that we saw when we first came out. They were so Hollywood, they had lifts and discos and cinemas and I don't want anything like that,

"I want something that's a nice size so that, when I'm on my own with the children, I'm not going to feel scared."

They started off in the the sprawling property above, in the La Florida area, before finally moving to upmarket suburb La Moraleja.

The same year, David picked up an OBE from the Queen – and, naturally, proud Victoria was on hand to celebrate his achievement.

In 2004, the seemingly perfect couple's marriage was rocked by sensational claims that the footballer had been conducting an affair with his Madrid-based assistant Rebecca Loos (above left).

After a media frenzy surrounding what experts called the biggest story since the death of Princess Diana, David issued a statement slamming the allegations as "ludicrous".

Just a week later, Australian model Sarah Marbeck claimed that she too had had extramarital relations with him.

Victoria stood by her man. "I'm not going to lie: it was a really tough time. It was hard for our entire families. But I realised a lot of people have a price," she later said of the scandal.

They put the episode behind them and in February the following year they welcomed third son Cruz.

"He's gorgeous, healthy and his mum is very good so we're a very happy family. He's got Victoria's lips and nose," said proud dad David.

Putting an end to the tumultuous Madrid-based chapter in their lives, the Beckhams cemented their A-list status with a hotly-anticipated move to Los Angeles in July 2007.

David had signed a contract with football team LA Galaxy.

And it wasn’t long after their arrival that they began making a multitude of Hollywood friends – including Tom Cruise and his wife Katie Holmes, and Will Smith and his wife Jada.

To mark their arrival in America they filmed a one-hour reality show Victoria Beckham: Coming to America, in which Posh was invited to pitch the first ball at a Los Angeles Dodgers baseball game

It soon became apparent that the Beckham clan, pictured in New York, were revelling in their new lives in America.

Despite Victoria's Spice Girls commitments – the group had reformed and embarked upon a sell-out world tour in December 2007 – their marriage seemed stronger than ever. And their boys had well and truly settled into life in America.

"We love it here. It's good weather and the children are secure," the fashionista has said.

"And the main thing is that America is a country where men and women are equal, and the sky's the limit for your career. So I think we'll live here for a while."

The couple share a tender moment at the New York Costume Gala in 2008. Twelve years after their first meeting, it's clear the romance is still alive

In 2010, the whole clan were still living the high life in Hollywood, often spotted out and about walking their dogs or watching basketball.

The Beckhams – pictured at a Jonas Brothers concert in May – also regularly rubbed shoulders with other famous families, including Gwen Stefani and her children.

The parents-of-three also celebrated their 11-year wedding anniversary with a weekend-long knees up in their South of France chateau. “We are as in love, if not more in love, than ever,” revealed Victoria.

"We are best friends. We never put pressure on each other. It was our 11th wedding anniversary at the weekend and we celebrated it in style… It was a fabulous party."

The family were overjoyed in July 2011 when Victoria welcomed Harper Seven, the first little girl to be born into the Beckham clan.

"Baby Harper is the most beautiful baby girl I have ever seen," the former Spice Girl tweeted. "I have fallen in love all over again."

"We feel so blessed and the boys love their baby sister so much."

There was no maternity leave for Victoria though. The uber mum was soon back on the promotional trail for her fashion label, taking Harper with her on trips to New York Fashion Week and China.

When their paths first crossed in November 1996, there was an immediate chemistry between Manchester United footie ace David Beckham and the pouting, mysterious Spice Girl known as Victoria Adams.

Both stars in their own right, together they captured public imagination and were propelled to the A list almost overnight.

"My wife picked me out of a soccer sticker book. And I chose her off the telly ... It felt straight away like we'd always been meant to be together," wrote David in his autobiography.

Here, hellomagazine.com takes a look back at the duo's love story – from their first meeting to their Hollywood lifestyle in America.

After they met at a charity football match, David and Victoria began to see each other regularly on a series of low-key dates.

"For the first three months it was amazing because no one found out about us being together,' says David of their early courtship.

"We loved that because we could sneak around. Our first kiss was in the car park of a restaurant.

"We used to drive to places and just spend as much time together as possible. That was an amazing time in our relationship."

David got down on one knee and popped the question on January 25, 1998, slipping a 3-carat, marquise-cut sparkler from Boodle and Dunthorpe on Victoria's finger.

The footballer ordered himself some serious bling too to mark the occasion too - a matching engagement band set with 96 diamonds. Both rings cost a total of £200,000.